The Comrades Marathon Association has rejected re-affiliation with KwaZulu-Natal Athletics and voted to adopt a “CMA-first” approach in its dealings with provincial and national athletics structures.
More than 1,000 members took part in a Special General Meeting on Saturday, 1 August, either in person at Comrades House in Pietermaritzburg or online.
Members were asked to consider the Comrades Marathon Association’s future relationship with KwaZulu-Natal Athletics and Athletics South Africa. Following presentations on two resolutions, they voted decisively against returning to the provincial body.
A total of 1,032 votes were recorded on the re-affiliation resolution, with 694 members voting against and 338 in favour. There were also 74 abstentions.
The resolution proposed that the Comrades Marathon Association should re-affiliate to KwaZulu-Natal Athletics “on such terms and through such process as may lawfully and practically be required to give effect to such re-affiliation”.
The members also backed a firm Comrades Marathon Association-first approach by 873 votes to 229, with 1,102 votes cast. The result represented 79.22% support for the CMA-first option, compared with 20.78% for a more accommodative approach.
The CMA-first proposal stated that the association would not compromise on ethics, legality, its governance, financial responsibility or the interests of the race, even if disputes or resistance followed.
Saturday’s meeting was held after members voted at the association’s Annual General Meeting in November 2025 to withdraw as a Special Member of KwaZulu-Natal Athletics and seek direct affiliation to Athletics South Africa.
Athletics South Africa later told the Comrades Marathon Association that direct affiliation would not be permitted. It instead instructed the association to engage with KwaZulu-Natal Athletics in an effort to resolve the dispute between the organisations.
Following a meeting involving the CMA, KZNA and ASA on 10 July 2026, Athletics South Africa asked the CMA board to refer the November decision back to its members. The board agreed, leading to Saturday’s vote.
“The CMA Board believes that our members are engaged, informed, and well-placed to determine the association’s position on matters of importance,” says chairperson of the CMA Board, Mark Leathers.
“Our members made their November 2025 decision after due consideration, and the board considered it appropriate to place the matter before members again to provide a clear mandate on the path forward, given the significance of these matters to the governance, independence, and long-term interests of the CMA and the Comrades Marathon.”
Leathers said the outcome gave the association a clear direction while maintaining the possibility of future discussions with both athletics bodies.
“Our members have once again confirmed their preference for the CMA to chart its own course. We are confident that we have the resources, experience, and commitment to continue presenting a world-class event, and we are excited about next year’s Centenary Edition of the race on 13 June 2027. The CMA remains willing to engage constructively with all parties for the betterment of the sport, the event, and the broader running community, and the door remains open for further discussions with KZNA and ASA,” adds Leathers.
He thanked members who participated in the decision-making process and said the association remained committed to South Africa’s wider running community.
“In recent years, CMA Membership has grown significantly as more runners and volunteers have expressed their desire to be involved in the running of this great event. We thank all who exercised their right to participate in this process, and for giving us a clear mandate on the way forward.”
“The Comrades Marathon will always be part of the larger running community of South Africa. The CMA will continue to act in the best interests of the event and its participants, and remains committed to constructive engagement with all stakeholders in the sport. We look forward to delivering an unforgettable Centenary Edition in 2027.”
The latest edition of the race was won by George Kusche in the men’s event, while Gerda Steyn claimed the women’s race for a fifth time. Both runners established new ‘Up’ run records.
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